Method for launching an electronic wallet

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic device is disclosed. The portable electronic device comprises a contactless communication transceiver configured to provide payment information to a point-of-sale terminal, a first input device configured to receive inputs, and a processor. The first input device is selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a microphone, a camera, and a biometric sensor. The processor is configured to activate an electronic wallet based on inputs from at least one of the first input device and the contactless communication transceiver, to access the payment information in the electronic wallet, and to provide the payment information to the contactless communication transceiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

A point-of-sale (POS) terminal or station may receive paymentinformation associated with a purchase and seek authorization forpayment from a back-end financial system, for example a credit cardauthorization service. The point-of-sale terminal may receive thefinancial information from a contactless card. A contactless cardcommunicates with a point-of-sale terminal or other device at least inpart without physically contacting the point-of-sale terminal, forexample through radio frequency communication conducted in the proximityof the point-of-sale terminal. This radio frequency communication mayinclude near field communication (NFC) technology.

Various payment cards, retail loyalty cards, and product coupons may beemployed in different payment and or purchase scenarios. For example, inpaying for groceries at a point-of-sale terminal, a customer may presenta loyalty card issued by the grocery store chain, one or more productcoupons, and either a credit card or a debit card. In another paymentscenario, a commuter may present a transit card to obtain access to amass transit vehicle.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a portable electronic device is disclosed. Theportable electronic device comprises a contactless communicationtransceiver configured to provide payment information to a point-of-saleterminal, a first input device configured to receive inputs, and aprocessor. The first input device is selected from the group consistingof an accelerometer, a microphone, a camera, and a biometric sensor. Theprocessor is configured to activate an electronic wallet based on inputsfrom at least one of the first input device and the contactlesscommunication transceiver, to access the payment information in theelectronic wallet, and to provide the payment information to thecontactless communication transceiver.

In another embodiment, a method of activating an application isdisclosed. The method comprises receiving inputs on a portableelectronic device to configure an activation input to select activationof a hidden application of the portable electronic device, receiving theactivation input, and activating the hidden application of the portableelectronic device in response to receiving the activation input. Thehidden application of the portable electronic device is not accessiblethrough any menu selection displayed on a visual display of the portableelectronic device.

In an additional embodiment, a method of completing a transaction isdisclosed. The method comprises receiving a first input to select one ofa plurality of payment cards for payment transfer, the payment cardsprovided by an electronic wallet application. The method also compriseslaunching the electronic wallet application on the portable electronicdevice, the electronic wallet application configured to provide accessto a payment transfer information of the selected payment card. Themethod further comprises transmitting the payment transfer informationto a point-of-sale terminal, wherein the transmitting is performed usingcontactless communication.

These and other features will be more clearly understood from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following brief description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like referencenumerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a payment system according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method of launching an application on aportable electronic device in the presence of a near field communication(NFC) transmitter according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of another method of launching an application ona portable electronic device in the presence of an NFC transmitteraccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of launching an application on aportable electronic device based on a shortcut according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of launching an application on aportable electronic device based on a first and second cue according toan embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of launching an application on aportable electronic device and selecting a payment card based on a firstand second cue according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of launching an application on aportable electronic device based on scanning a target according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of launching an application on aportable electronic device based on a speed-dial selection according toan embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method of launching an application on aportable electronic device and selecting a payment card based on aspeed-dial selection according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a handset according to at least oneembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a handset according to at least oneembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a software architecture of a handsetaccording to at least one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary general purpose computer systemsuitable for implementing the several embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although an illustrativeimplementation of one or more embodiments are provided below, thedisclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosureshould in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations,drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplarydesigns and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

A myriad of methods for conveniently opening, launching, or accessing anelectronic wallet or other application on a portable electronic deviceare disclosed. In some embodiments, when not launched, the electronicwallet or other application is hidden from view on a display of thedevice to promote security of personal financial information or otherconfidential information in the event the phone is stolen or lost. Theelectronic wallet is launched by a first input or a combination of thefirst input and a second input, for example a movement input, a voiceinput, a camera image, or an audio input. In some contexts herein, theword cue may be used interchangeably with the word input, for example amovement input may also be referred to as a movement cue. In anotherembodiment, the electronic wallet may be launched automatically whenradiation from a near field communication (NFC) point-of-sale terminalis detected. In some embodiments the input or input combinations thatlaunch the electronic wallet also concurrently select one of a pluralityof payment cards, for example a specific credit card or debit card. Theinput sequences that launch the electronic wallet may also select one ofa plurality of electronic wallets mounted on or stored on the device.

Some additional information related to point-of-sale systems is providedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/221,172, entitled “AlternateAuthorization for Proximity Card,” filed Sep. 7, 2005, by Kevin Zhu,which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a system 100 for completing payment transactionsaccording to an embodiment of this disclosure is discussed. The system100 comprises a portable electronic device 102, a point-of-sale (POS)terminal 104, a payment authorization center 106, and a network 108. Apayment for a product or service may be made electronically by thedevice 102 through contactless communication with the POS terminal 104,for example by communicating payment information such as a credit cardor a transit card account number. For purposes of the presentdisclosure, contactless communication is intended to include a widevariety of communication means including near field communication (NFC)technology, infra-red, ultra-sonic, optical, radio frequency, wireless,Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other communication links that do not involvedirect physical contact. In an embodiment, the POS terminal 104completes the payment transaction by handshaking with the paymentauthorization center 106, communicating with the payment authorizationcenter 106 through the network 108. In another embodiment, the POSterminal 104 completes the payment transaction without communicatingwith the payment authorization center 106, for example when the paymentinformation for a debit card is provided by the device 102.

The POS terminal 104 may be embodied as a general purpose computersystem, to be discussed in greater detail hereinafter. The POS terminal104 communicates via contactless communication with the device 102 byany of a variety of means including near field communication (NFC)technology, infra-red, ultra-sonic, optical, radio frequency, Bluetooth,Wi-Fi, and other communication links. The POS terminal 104 may beconnected to databases or networked to servers (not shown) which provideproduct and service pricing information, including any discountingassociated with a loyalty card and/or product coupons. In an embodiment,the POS terminal 104 may include a device for scanning a product, forexample a bar code reader or radio frequency identification (RFID)reader, to identify a product and to add the associated cost to anaccumulating purchase total.

The payment authorization center 106 may authenticate and authorizecharges to a credit card such as VISA card, AMERICANEXPRESS card,MASTERCARD card, DISCOVER card, gasoline company card, or other creditcard. The authorization handshake may require transmission of accountidentification, for example an account number or a credit card number.Additionally, the authorization handshake may require furtherauthentication information such as a personal identification number(PIN), a driver's license number, a security code associated with thecredit card, or other authentication information. If the paymentauthorization center 106 approves the transaction, the paymentauthorization center 106 charges the appropriate account in the amountof the transaction and sends payment approval. The payment authorizationcenter 106 may be implemented as a general purpose computer system.

The network 108 may be any of a public switched telephone network(PSTN), a public data network (PDN), or a combination thereof.

The portable electronic device 102 may be any of a variety of devicesincluding but not limited to a mobile phone, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or other portableelectronic device. An exemplary embodiment of a handset suitable toimplementing several embodiments of this disclosure, for example amobile phone and a PDA, is discussed in detail hereinafter.

The device 102 includes one or more applications that provide servicesand functionality to a user, such as a mobile phone subscriber or a PDAuser. These applications may include, but are not limited to, anelectronic wallet, an email service, an address book, a contacts list, aspreadsheet, a scheduler, a virtual private network (VPN) portal, a webbrowser, and other applications. In an embodiment, these applicationsmay be launched or activated or started by a number of methods includingselecting a menu item shown on a display of the device 102 and/orpressing keys on a keyboard of the device 102. In other embodiments,these applications may be launched by other methods, for example byvoice activation input or cue, by distinctive movement input sensed byan accelerometer within the device 102, and by other methods. When anapplication is inactive or not yet launched, accessing the functionalityof the application may involve first loading at least portions of theapplication into a memory area that is more accessible or more rapidlyaccessible to a processor of the device 102. In an embodiment, thisprocess of loading at least portions of the application into the memoryarea accessible to the processor of the device 102 is what is referredto in the expression launching or activating the application.

In an embodiment one or more of the applications may be hiddenapplications, for example the application may not be identified in amenu selection that is shown in the display of the device 102 oraccessible through standard sequences of selecting displayed menuselections. Configuring an application to be hidden may providedesirable security benefits, for example making an electronic walletmore difficult to launch by an unauthorized person who may havediscovered a lost or misplaced device 102 or may have stolen the device102, thereby preventing unauthorized credit card purchases or depletionof debit cards included in the electronic wallet. If the applicationprovides access to expensive communications services, hiding theapplication may prevent unauthorized use of the communication servicesand hence avoidance of the associated charges. If the applicationprovides access to confidential information, for example competitivepricing information, marketing plans, customer or contact lists, hidingthe application may prevent industrial espionage directed to stealingthat confidential information. The hidden applications may be launchedthrough distinctive input sequences configured for the device 102 andknown to the authorized users of the device 102.

An electronic wallet application, also referred to as an eWallet,provides a variety of financial and payment capabilities. The electronicwallet application supports paying for products or services with thedevice 102 in much the same way as presenting a credit card, a debitcard, or a transit card for payment. Additionally, the electronic walletapplication may promote paying from a payment account.

In an embodiment the device 102 includes a plurality of electronicwallets, for example a first electronic wallet 110, a second electronicwallet 112, and a third electronic wallet 114. Each of the severalwallets 110, 112, and 114 may be associated with different members of afamily, for example a father, a mother, and a child. Alternatively, eachof the several wallets 110, 112, and 114 may be associated withdifferent employees of a business firm. Alternatively, each of thewallets 110, 112, 114 may be associated with different roles of anindividual, for example a personal wallet, a business wallet, and asocial organization wallet. The individual may use the personal walletfor buying a birthday gift for a spouse, use the business wallet to payfor business related expenses, and use the social organization wallet topay for food for a group campout. In an embodiment the electronic walletlaunching input sequence may select one of the electronic wallets 110,112, 114. In another embodiment the electronic wallet launching sequencemay trigger the display to show a selector, for example a dialog box orwindow, to select one of the electronic wallets 110, 112, 114.

In an embodiment, the first electronic wallet 110 includes one or moredebit cards 120, credit cards 122, transit cards 124, loyalty cards 126,product coupons 128, and gift cards 130. A loyalty card 126 may be usedby a retail store, for example a grocery store, to link or associate apurchase session with a customer, perhaps for the purposes of conductingmarketing research, customer purchasing behavior research, etc. A giftcard 130 may be a debit card issued by a specific store or business, forexample a book store gift card or a restaurant gift card. In anembodiment when the first electronic wallet 110 is launched all of thepayment information contained by the wallet, including the debit cards120, the credit cards 122, the transit cards 124, the loyalty cards 126,the product coupons 128, and the gift cards 130 become immediatelyaccessible. In another embodiment at least some of the paymentinformation is protected, for example requiring the designation of a PINto make one of the credit cards 122 accessible. In an embodiment,accessibility of the debit cards 120, the credit cards 122, the transitcards 124, the loyalty cards 126, the product coupons 128, and the giftcards is configurable on the device 102 by a user.

This disclosure contemplates a wide variety of methods of launching oractivating a variety of applications, for example an application 116,both hidden applications and other applications, including, but notlimited to, a spreadsheet application, an address book application, acontact list application, a VPN application, and an electronic walletapplication, for example the electronic wallets 110, 112, 114. In someembodiments, a contactless communication transceiver 138, for example anNFC transceiver, may launch an application, for example the firstelectronic wallet 110, when an NFC emission is detected by thecontactless communication transceiver 138, for example from the POSterminal 104.

In some embodiments one or more transducers 140 may provide input to thedevice 102 that is used to trigger launching the first electronic wallet110 or other application. In an embodiment, a distinctive movement ofthe device 102 may be sensed by the transducer 140, for example anaccelerometer, and input to the device 102 which launches the electronicwallet 110 in response to the distinctive movement. In an embodiment, adistinctive movement of the device 102 while the number “1” is activatedon a keypad of the device 102 may trigger the device 102 to launch thefirst electronic wallet 110, while the same distinctive movement of thedevice 102 while the number “2” is activated on the keypad may triggerthe device 102 to launch the second electronic wallet 112. A variety ofdistinctive movements of the device by a user readily suggest themselvesincluding, but not limited to, circular movements, left-to-rightmovements, up-to-down movements, yawing movements, pitching movements,rolling movements, translation movements in any of three axes oftranslational movement, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a method 160 of launching an application, forexample the first electronic wallet 110, is discussed. In block 162, ifthe device 102 is brought into proximity to the POS terminal 104 anddetects the NFC signal emitted by the POS terminal 104 the method 160proceeds to block 164. In block 164, in response to detecting the NFCsignal, in an embodiment the device 102 may launch or activate the firstelectronic wallet 110. In another embodiment, the device 102 may havemultiple electronic wallets installed and may be configured toautomatically select one of the electronic wallets 110, 112, 114 whenthe device 102 detects the NFC signal radiated by the POS terminal 104.The device 102 may retain this configuration as state information untilthe device 102 is reconfigured. In a further embodiment, however, whenmultiple electronic wallets 110, 112, 114 are installed on the device102, the device 102 may display a dialog box prompting for a selectionof one of the electronic wallets 110, 112, 114 when the device 102detects the NFC RF of the POS terminal 104. In an embodiment, the NFCsignal may identify a store or business associated where the POSterminal 104 is located, and the device 102 may select the payment card120, 122, 124 based in part upon the identification of the store.Further, the device 102 may provide a reminder to the user that anapplicable gift card 130 is available, indicate the funds remaining onthe gift card 130, and provide a selection button for paying at least inpart with the selected gift card 130.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a method 170 of launching the first electronicwallet 110 on the device 102 is discussed. In block 172, optionally anactivation input for launching the first electronic wallet is configuredon the device 102. Alternately, the device 102 may be pre-configured toknow the activation input. In block 174, if the device 102 receives theactivation input while concurrently detecting the NFC signal radiated bythe POS terminal 104, at block 164 the device 102 launches the firstelectronic wallet 110.

The activation input may include a distinctive movement input or cuesensed by the transducer 140, a password entered on a keypad of thedevice 102, a drawn input on a touch screen or touch pad of the device102, an audio input such as a tapping sound pattern, a voice input, or abiometric input. The distinctive movement input, sensed by thetransducer 140 implemented as an accelerometer, might be, for example, arapid rotation of the device 102 around an approximately vertical axisin an approximately horizontal plane. Other distinctive movements arealso contemplated by this disclosure. The biometric input may beprovided by a fingerprint sensor or by a retina scan provided by acamera or other sensor integral with the device 102. Configuring thedevice 102 for the movement input and/or the biometric input may involveentering an operational control mode of the device 102 and imparting themovement and/or biometric signature to the device 102 several times. Thebiometric signature may be referred to as a biometric image. Thebiometric signature and/or biometric image may be a recording of abiometric characteristic, for example a scanned image of a retinaobtained with a camera of the device 102, a photo or other image of afingerprint.

The activation input provides a convenient alternative to conventionaltraversing of a series of menu offerings to arrive at a desired selectorcontrol. Additionally, the activation input may provide desirablesecurity in the case that the device 102 is lost or stolen, makinglaunching of the first electronic wallet 110 more difficult for thosenot aware of the configured activation.

In an embodiment, the device 102 may have multiple electronic walletsinstalled and may be configured to automatically select one of theelectronic wallets 110, 112, 114 when the device 102 receives theactivation input while concurrently detecting the NFC RF radiated by thePOS terminal 104. Alternately, the device 102 may be configured toassociate different activation cues with a different one of theelectronic wallets 110, 112, and 114.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a method 180 for launching an application on thedevice 102 is discussed. In an embodiment the application may be ahidden application, as discussed above. In block 172, optionally anactivation input for launching the application is configured on thedevice 102. Alternately, the device 102 may be pre-configured to knowthe activation input. In block 174, if the device 102 receives theactivation input, at block 164 the device 102 launches the application.In an embodiment, the device 102 may be configured to launch differentapplications based on receiving or detecting different activations. Forexample, a first movement may be configured as the activation to anemail application of the device 102 and a second movement may beconfigured as the activation to a streaming video application of thedevice 102.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a method 190 for launching an application on thedevice 102 is discussed. In block 192, optionally a first cue or inputand a second cue or input are configured for the device 102. In anembodiment, however, the first and second cues may be pre-configured onthe device 102. In block 194 if the first cue is detected, the method190 proceeds to block 196, where if the second cue is detectedconcurrently with detection of the first cue, or before expiration of atime-out timer that may be started upon the event of detecting the firstcue, the application is launched on the device 102.

In an embodiment, multiple pairs of first and second cues may beconfigured to launch different applications, for example a first cueassociated with an email application and a second cue associated withthe email application, a first cue associated with a streaming videoapplication and a second cue associated with the streaming videoapplication. Additionally, multiple pairs of first and second cues maybe configured to launch different electronic wallets 110, 112, 114. Inanother embodiment, the first cue may launch the first electronic wallet110, and the second cue may select a specific application to be launchedon the device 102. In another embodiment, the first cue may select aspecific application to be launched on the device 102, and the secondcue may launch the wallet 110 and launch the application selected by thefirst cue. A number of other cue combinations will readily occur to oneskilled in the art, all of which are contemplated by the presentdisclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a method 200 for launching an application, forexample the first electronic wallet 110, and selecting a payment card onthe device 102 is discussed. The method 200 is similar to the method190, but in block 202 the first and second cues may select a paymentcard for use with the application being launched, for example a creditcard accessed via the first electronic wallet 110 being launched. Eitherthe first cue or the second cue may identify a payment card from aplurality of payment cards. For example, pressing and holding a “*” keyon the keypad of the device 102 may provide the first cue and rotatingthe device 102 rapidly about a vertical axis may provide the second cueand may launch the first electronic wallet 110 and also select a firstcredit card for payment. Pressing and holding the “*” key on the keypadof the device 102 may provide the first cue and rotating the device 102rapidly about a horizontal axis may launch the first electronic wallet110 and also select a second credit card for payment. In otherembodiments other cues and combinations of cues may be employed. In anembodiment, activating the first cue, for example pressing and releasingthe “*” key may start a time-out timer, and if the second cue isreceived before the time-out timer expires the first electronic wallet110 is launched and a payment card is selected.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a method 210 for launching or activating napplication, for example the first electronic wallet 110, and selectinga payment card on the device 102 is discussed. In block 212 a scanningtarget is configured for the device 102 to associate the scanning targetwith one of the payment cards 120, 122, 124. In an embodiment one of theloyalty cards 126 may be associated with the scanning target. In anembodiment one of the gift cards 130 may be associated with the scanningtarget. The scanning target may be an image or bar code associated witha specific product or service vendor, for example a grocery store or amass transportation service. The image may be a distinctive iconassociated with the credit card, for example a logo of a store, or acredit card, or other logo. The bar code may be a linear bar code or atwo-dimensional bar code, for example a bar code designed to be reliablyread by a low-quality scanner or a camera and from various readingangles and orientations. The two-dimensional bar codes may includeSEMACODE, SHOTCODE, and other two-dimensional bar codes.

In block 214 a target is scanned, and if the scanned target matches oneof the configured scanning targets, in block 202 the first electronicwallet 110 is launched and an appropriate payment card 120, 122, 124 isselected. In an embodiment, the target may be provided as a sticker nearor at the POS terminal 104. In an embodiment, the appropriate loyaltycard 126 is selected and information associated with the loyalty card126 is shared with the POS terminal 104 and possibly appropriate productcoupons 128. In an embodiment, the target may be provided as a stickerat various locations in a store, allowing the device 102 to scan thetarget, to launch the first electronic wallet application 110, andfurther to display one or more product coupons 128 that may beassociated with the store, thereby promoting shopping informed by theknowledge of the availability of the product coupons 128. In anembodiment, the device 102 may provide a reminder to the user that anapplicable gift card 130 is available, indicate the funds remaining onthe gift card 130, and provide a selection button for paying at least inpart with the selected gift card 130. In another embodiment, the targetis scanned to select an appropriate payment card 120, 122, 124 and asecond input cue may launch the first electronic wallet 110 with theselected payment card 120, 122, 124 active. In another embodiment, whenthe device 102 scans the target, one or more product coupons areidentified, and the user launches the first electronic wallet 110 withthe second input cue.

Turning now to FIG. 8, a method 220 for launching or activating thefirst electronic wallet 110 on the device 102 is discussed. In block222, optionally a speed-dial input for launching the first electronicwallet 110 is configured on the device 102. Alternatively, the device102 may be pre-configured to know the speed-dial input. The speed-dialmay be defined as a string or ordered sequence of dialing inputs. Thedialing inputs consist of the digits 0 through 9, the asterisk, and thepound sign. In block 224, if the device 102 receives the speed-dialinput, at block 164 the device 102 launches the first electronic wallet110. In an embodiment, an activation input may be provided to cue thedevice 102 to process the speed-dial input, for example receiving aninput from the dialing key input or another input cue. In an embodiment,the device 102 may be placed in a dialing mode or a phone mode beforeblock 224 to promote the device 102 processing the speed-dial input. Thespeed-dial input may be defined, for example, as a seven digit numberand/or a ten digit number. It is contemplated that such a seven digit orten digit speed-dial input may enjoy the benefit of seeming to be astandard phone number and hence less readily discovered by an identifythief. It is contemplated that the speed-dial might be added to acontacts list on the device 102, associated with some name. Thespeed-dial number might then be selected through the contacts list. Inanother embodiment, the speed-dial input may be defined as a specialcharacter such as an asterisk followed by four numeric digits. Inanother embodiment, however, different dialing strings may be employedas speed-dial inputs. In an embodiment, a password may be input alongwith the speed-dial input, and the device 102 may process the passwordsubstantially concurrently with the speed-dial input, thereby avoidingthe need for presenting a password dialog window before providing fullaccess to the functions of the first electronic wallet. The passwordinput and speed-dial input may be combined in a variety of ways. Forexample, the password may be appended at the end of the speed-dialinput, the password input may be pre-pended in front of the speed-dialinput, or the password input may be intermingled in some manner with thespeed-dial input. In an embodiment, the method 220 may be used to launchor to activate other applications including hidden applications.

Turning now to FIG. 9, a method 230 for launching or activating thefirst electronic wallet 110 on the device 102 is discussed. In block222, optionally a speed-dial input for launching the first electronicwallet 110 is configured on the device 102. This configuration may alsoconfigure one of the payment cards 120, 122, 124 and one of theelectronic wallets 110, 112, 114 to associate with a specific speed-dialinput. Alternately, the device 102 may be pre-configured to know thespeed-dial input and its association with the payment cards 120, 122,124 and with the electronic wallets 110, 112, 114. In block 224, if thedevice 102 receives the speed-dial input, at block 202 the device 102launches the first electronic wallet 110 and selects the payment card120, 122, 124. In an embodiment, the device 102 may be configured tolaunch different electronic wallets 110, 112, 114 based on receiving ordetecting different speed-dial inputs. In an embodiment, differentbiometric signatures associated with a user, for example fingerprints ofdifferent fingers, may be used to select different applications 116 andor electronic wallets 110, 112, 114.

FIG. 10 shows a wireless communications system including a handset 400.FIG. 10 depicts the handset 400, which is operable for implementingaspects of the present disclosure, for example the portable electronicdevice 102, but the present disclosure should not be limited to theseimplementations. Though illustrated as a mobile phone, the handset 400may take various forms including a wireless handset, a pager, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a tablet computer, or alaptop computer. Many suitable handsets combine some or all of thesefunctions. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the handset400 is not a general purpose computing device like a portable, laptop ortablet computer, but rather is a special-purpose communications devicesuch as a mobile phone, wireless handset, pager, or PDA. The handset 400may support specialized work assignments such as inventory control, jobcontrol, and/or task management functions.

The handset 400 includes a display 402 and a touch-sensitive surface orkeys 404 for input by a user. In an embodiment, the display 402 may be atouch-sensitive surface, which may be referred to as a touch screen. Inan embodiment, the keys 404 may be separate from a touch-sensitive,non-display surface, which may be referred to as a touch pad (notshown). The handset 400 may present options for the user to select,controls for the user to actuate, and/or cursors or other indicators forthe user to direct. The handset 400 may further accept data entry fromthe user, including numbers to dial or various parameter values forconfiguring the operation of the handset. The handset 400 may furtherexecute one or more software or firmware applications in response touser commands. These applications may configure the handset 400 toperform various customized functions in response to user interaction.Additionally, the handset 400 may be programmed and/or configuredover-the-air, for example from a wireless base station, a wirelessaccess point, or a peer handset 400.

The handset 400 may execute a web browser application which enables thedisplay 402 to show a web page. The web page may be obtained viawireless communications with a cell tower 406, a wireless network accessnode, a peer handset 400 or any other wireless communication network orsystem. The cell tower 406 (or wireless network access node) is coupledto a wired network 408, such as the Internet. Via the wireless link andthe wired network, the handset 400 has access to information on variousservers, such as a server 410. The server 410 may provide content thatmay be shown on the display 402. Alternately, the handset 400 may accessthe cell tower 406 through a peer handset 400 acting as an intermediary,in a relay type or hop type of connection. The handset 400 may conductpayment transactions using contactless communications means with the POSterminal 104, for example using a contactless communication transceiver(not shown).

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of the handset 400. While a variety ofknown components of handsets 400 are depicted, in an embodiment a subsetof the listed components and/or additional components not listed may beincluded in the handset 400. The handset 400 includes a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 502 and a memory 504. As shown, the handset 400 mayfurther include an antenna and front end unit 506, a radio frequency(RF) transceiver 508, an analog baseband processing unit 510, amicrophone 512, an earpiece speaker 514, a biometric sensor 516, aninput/output interface 518, a near field communication (NEC) transceivercard or other contactless communication transceiver 520, a universalserial bus (USB) port 522, an infrared port 524, an accelerometer orother transducer 526, a keypad 528, a touch screen liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) with a touch sensitive surface 530, a touch screen/LCDcontroller 532, a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera 534, a cameracontroller 536, and a global positioning system (GPS) sensor 538. In anembodiment, the handset 400 may include another kind of display thatdoes not provide a touch sensitive screen. In an embodiment, the DSP 502may communicate directly with the memory 504 without passing through theinput/output interface 518. In an embodiment, the handset 400 mayfurther include a Bluetooth interface. In an embodiment, the contactlesscommunication transceiver 520 may employ Bluetooth communicationtechnology.

The DSP 502 or some other form of controller or central processing unitoperates to control the various components of the handset 400 inaccordance with embedded software or firmware stored in memory 504 orstored in memory contained within the DSP 502 itself. In addition to theembedded software or firmware, the DSP 502 may execute otherapplications stored in the memory 504 or made available via informationcarrier media such as portable data storage media like a removablememory card (not shown) or via wired or wireless network communications.The application software may comprise a compiled set of machine-readableinstructions that configure the DSP 502 to provide the desiredfunctionality, or the application software may be high-level softwareinstructions to be processed by an interpreter or compiler to indirectlyconfigure the DSP 502.

The antenna and front end unit 506 may be provided to convert betweenwireless signals and electrical signals, enabling the handset 400 tosend and receive information from a cellular network or some otheravailable wireless communications network or from a peer handset 400. Inan embodiment, the antenna and front end unit 506 may include multipleantennas whereby to support beam forming and/or multiple input multipleoutput (MIMO) operations. As is known to those skilled in the art, MIMOoperations may provide spatial diversity which can be used to overcomedifficult channel conditions and/or increase channel throughput. Theantenna and front end unit 506 may include antenna tuning and/orimpedance matching components, RF power amplifiers, and/or low noiseamplifiers.

The RF transceiver 508 provides frequency shifting, converting receivedRF signals to baseband and converting baseband transmit signals to RF.In some descriptions a radio transceiver or RF transceiver may beunderstood to include other signal processing functionality such asmodulation/demodulation, coding/decoding, interleaving/deinterleaving,spreading/despreading, inverse fast fourier transforming (IFFT)/fastfourier transforming (FFT), cyclic prefix appending/removal, and othersignal processing functions. For the purposes of clarity the descriptionhere separates the description of this signal processing from the RFand/or radio stage and conceptually allocates that signal processing tothe analog baseband processing unit 510 and/or the DSP 502 or othercentral processing unit. In some embodiments the RF transceiver 508,portions of the antenna and front end 506, the analog basebandprocessing unit 510 may be combined in one or more processing unitsand/or application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

The analog baseband processing unit 510 may provide various analogprocessing of inputs and outputs, for example analog processing ofinputs from the microphone 512 and outputs to the earpiece 514. To thatend, the analog baseband processing unit 510 may have ports forconnecting to the built-in microphone 512 and the earpiece speaker 514that enable the handset 400 to be used as a cell phone. The analogbaseband processing unit 510 may further include a port for connectingto a headset or other hands-free microphone and speaker configuration.The analog baseband processing unit 510 may provide digital-to-analogconversion in one signal direction and analog-to-digital conversion inthe opposing signal direction. In some embodiments at least some of thefunctionality of the analog baseband processing unit 510 may be providedby digital processing components, for example by the DSP 502 or by othercentral processing units.

The DSP 502 may perform modulation/demodulation, coding/decoding,interleaving/deinterleaving, spreading/despreading, inverse fast fouriertransforming (IFFT)/fast fourier transforming (FFT), cyclic prefixappending/removal, and other signal processing functions associated withwireless communications. In an embodiment, for example in a codedivision multiple access (CDMA) technology application, for atransmitter function the DSP 502 may perform modulation, coding,interleaving, and spreading and for a receiver function the DSP 502 mayperform despreading, deinterleaving, decoding, and demodulation. Inanother embodiment, for example in an orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplex access (OFDMA) technology application, for the transmitterfunction the DSP 502 may perform modulation, coding, interleaving,inverse fast fourier transforming, and cyclic prefix appending and for areceiver function the DSP 502 may perform cyclic prefix removal, fastfourier transforming, deinterleaving, decoding, and demodulation. Inother wireless technology applications yet other signal processingfunctions and combinations of signal processing functions may beperformed by the DSP 502.

The DSP 502 may communicate with a wireless network via the analogbaseband processing unit 510. In some embodiments, the communication mayprovide Internet connectivity, enabling a user to gain access to contenton the Internet and to send and receive e-mail or text messages. Theinput/output interface 518 interconnects the DSP 502 and variousmemories and interfaces. The memory 504 and the removable memory card(not shown) may provide software and data to configure the operation ofthe DSP 502. Among the interfaces may be the NFC transceiver card 520,the USB interface 522, and the infrared port 524. The NFC transceivercard 520 may promote communications between the handset 400 and the POSterminal 104. The USB interface 522 may enable the handset 400 tofunction as a peripheral device to exchange information with a personalcomputer or other computer system. The infrared port 524 and otheroptional ports such as a Bluetooth interface or an IEEE 802.11 compliantwireless interface may enable the handset 400 to communicate wirelesslywith other nearby handsets and/or wireless base stations.

The input/output interface 518 may further connect the DSP 502 thebiometric sensor 516 and to the accelerometer 526. The biometric sensor516 may detect various biometric characteristics or signatures of a userand provide appropriate biometric input to the DSP 502 or otherprocessor. The accelerometer 526 may serve as a mechanism to sensedistinctive movements of the handset 400 and to provide appropriatemotion input to the DSP 502 or other processor. In an embodiment, adifferent transducer may be employed to detect and/or sense distinctivemovements of the handset 400.

The keypad 528 couples to the DSP 502 via the interface 518 to provideone mechanism for the user to make selections, enter information, andotherwise provide input to the handset 400. Another input mechanism maybe the touch screen LCD 530, which may also display text and/or graphicsto the user. The touch screen LCD controller 532 couples the DSP 502 tothe touch screen LCD 530.

The CCD camera 534 enables the handset 400 to take digital pictures. TheDSP 502 communicates with the CCD camera 534 via the camera controller536. The GPS sensor 538 is coupled to the DSP 502 to decode globalpositioning system signals, thereby enabling the handset 400 todetermine its position. In another embodiment, a camera operatingaccording to a technology different from Charge Coupled Device camerasmay be employed. Various other peripherals may also be included toprovide additional functions, e.g., radio and television reception.

FIG. 12 illustrates a software environment 602 that may be implementedby the DSP 502. The DSP 502 executes operating system drivers 604 thatprovide a platform from which the rest of the software operates. Theoperating system drivers 604 provide drivers for the handset hardwarewith standardized interfaces that are accessible to applicationsoftware. The operating system drivers 604 include applicationmanagement services (“AMS”) 606 that transfer control betweenapplications running on the handset 400. Also shown in FIG. 12 are a webbrowser application 608, a media player application 610, and JAVAapplets 612. The web browser application 608 configures the handset 400to operate as a web browser, allowing a user to enter information intoforms and select links to retrieve and view web pages. The media playerapplication 610 configures the handset 400 to retrieve and play audio oraudiovisual media. The JAVA applets 612 configure the handset 400 toprovide games, utilities, and other functionality. An eWalletapplication 614, substantially similar to the electronic wallets 112 and114, is also shown in FIG. 12. The software environment 602 may includeother applications (not shown) including a VPN application, aspreadsheet application, an address book application, a schedulerapplication, a contact list application, and/or other applications.

Portions of the system 100 described above, for example the POS terminal104 and the payment authorization center 106, may be implemented on anygeneral-purpose computer with sufficient processing power, memoryresources, and network throughput capability to handle the necessaryworkload placed upon it. FIG. 13 illustrates a typical, general-purposecomputer system suitable for implementing one or more embodimentsdisclosed herein. The computer system 780 includes a processor 782(which may be referred to as a central processor unit or CPU) that is incommunication with memory devices including secondary storage 784, readonly memory (ROM) 786, random access memory (RAM) 788, input/output(I/O) devices 790, and network connectivity devices 792. The processormay be implemented as one or more CPU chips.

The secondary storage 784 is typically comprised of one or more diskdrives or tape drives and is used for non-volatile storage of data andas an over-flow data storage device if RAM 788 is not large enough tohold all working data. Secondary storage 784 may be used to storeprograms which are loaded into RAM 788 when such programs are selectedfor execution. The ROM 786 is used to store instructions and perhapsdata which are read during program execution. ROM 786 is a non-volatilememory device which typically has a small memory capacity relative tothe larger memory capacity of secondary storage. The RAM 788 is used tostore volatile data and perhaps to store instructions. Access to bothROM 786 and RAM 788 is typically faster than to secondary storage 784.

I/O devices 790 may include printers, video monitors, liquid crystaldisplays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads, switches,dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card readers, paper tapereaders, or other well-known input devices. The network connectivitydevices 792 may take the form of modems, modem banks, ethernet cards,universal serial bus (USB) interface cards, serial interfaces, tokenring cards, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) cards, wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) cards, radio transceiver cards such as codedivision multiple access (CDMA) and/or global system for mobilecommunications (GSM) radio transceiver cards, and other well-knownnetwork devices. These network connectivity devices 792 may enable theprocessor 782 to communicate with an Internet or one or more intranets.With such a network connection, it is contemplated that the processor782 might receive information from the network, or might outputinformation to the network in the course of performing theabove-described method steps. Such information, which is oftenrepresented as a sequence of instructions to be executed using processor782, may be received from and outputted to the network, for example, inthe form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave

Such information, which may include data or instructions to be executedusing processor 782 for example, may be received from and outputted tothe network, for example, in the form of a computer data baseband signalor signal embodied in a carrier wave. The baseband signal or signalembodied in the carrier wave generated by the network connectivitydevices 792 may propagate in or on the surface of electrical conductors,in coaxial cables, in waveguides, in optical media, for example opticalfiber, or in the air or free space. The information contained in thebaseband signal or signal embedded in the carrier wave may be orderedaccording to different sequences, as may be desirable for eitherprocessing or generating the information or transmitting or receivingthe information. The baseband signal or signal embedded in the carrierwave, or other types of signals currently used or hereafter developed,referred to herein as the transmission medium, may be generatedaccording to several methods well known to one skilled in the art.

The processor 782 executes instructions, codes, computer programs,scripts which it accesses from hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk(these various disk based systems may all be considered secondarystorage 784), ROM 786, RAM 788, or the network connectivity devices 792.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated in another systemor certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled orcommunicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicatingthrough some interface, device, or intermediate component whetherelectrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes,substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in theart and could be made without departing from the spirit and scopedisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of activating an application,comprising: receiving inputs on a portable electronic device toconfigure an activation input to select activation of a hiddenapplication of the portable electronic device; receiving the activationinput; and activating the hidden application of the portable electronicdevice in response to receiving the activation input, wherein the hiddenapplication of the portable electronic device is not accessible throughany menu selection displayed on a visual display of the portableelectronic device, wherein an electronic wallet is the hiddenapplication, wherein the activation input further selects at least oneof a credit card, a transit card, a debit card, a loyalty card, and aproduct coupon contained by the electronic wallet to be used to providepayment information, and wherein the activation input comprises apredetermined key selected concurrently with a distinctive movement cueor a distinctive camera image.
 2. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding detecting a near field communication (NFC) signal of apoint-of-sale terminal, and wherein the activating the hiddenapplication is in response to detecting the NFC signal and to receivingthe activation input.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the activationinput further selects one of a plurality of electronic wallets toactivate.